Alison Hodgson

Expert on the etiquette of perilous times.

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An Open Letter to January II

January 19, 2009 by Alison Hodgson 1 Comment

Dear January,

Well done.  We are in double digits and the sun is shining.  I hope you noted that there were absolutely no complaints from we when it was below zero and sunny, nor when it was grey and snowing.  I am willing to give too.  This is a relationship and we both know this is not Florida; it’s Michigan.  
In review:
Grey and wickedly cold – never
Wavering between snow and rain, i.e. sleet – no good
Nose searing cold, no snow and grey skies – don’t even think about it
Nose searing cold and sunny skies – acceptable
Crisp cold and sunny skies – excellent
Grey skies and a soft and gentle snowfall – perfectly fine
Thank you for your consideration.  I know we exchanged some harsh words whilst working this out – that’s what the professionals call “tough love”.  I am committed to you even when you are stupid and thoughtless and cause me such needless pain.  I’m not giving up on you – you brought me Eden, for which I will be eternally grateful.
As those High School Musical Kids are always singing, “We’re all in this together”.  And by “all” I mean you, me and the rest of Michigan.
Cordially,
Alison

Filed Under: bitching and moaning, January, winter

October 14, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 2 Comments

This week, as our trees turn and the leaves are falling, I have been thinking about my love for all the seasons, but especially the times of most transition, spring and fall.  I thought of this again today, walking with Christopher and Jack under a cloudless sky.  I asked Christopher if he had a favorite among the seasons and was surprised when he named summer and winter.  I asked why.
“Well, in summer it is hot and we get to swim in the pool and in winter there is snow and we let our imaginations run wild, you know.”
God help me, I do and I pictured Jack Nicholson in The Shining.  Figuring that that wasn’t what he meant I asked him to elaborate.
“When the snow comes we are able to make snowmen and snow creatures and build forts and have snowballs fights.  This winter I am going to make a snow zoo again, with lots of animals.”
He did that last year and the Legumes loved it.  It all sounds so sweet and benign, cozy even. Maybe for him it is, maybe I’m the only one who feels the urge to pick up an axe in the winter, although the blamey side of me wants to suggest that, some days, Christopher picks it up first and hands it to me.  
But who wants to be blamey?  I don’t.  And maybe this winter it will be different.  Today, with the sun shining in the windows of our peaceful house it doesn’t seem to be only wishful thinking, but a strong possibility.  

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/10/373/

Filed Under: Christopher, depression, fall, peace, winter

Happy Monday

March 10, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 1 Comment

Paul’s in the country.
I’m in town.
School’s almost complete.
Thanks to Paul, we’re all caught up on laundry.
Eden’s in the tub.  (I can see her, from where I write, so put down the phone.)
The sun is shining.
We are going out to lunch.
Happy Monday, indeed.

Filed Under: Monday mornings, winter

Press Release

February 18, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 9 Comments

Have you heard the press release regarding the latest study on laundry? It was an analysis of whether or not, given enough time, laundry would wash itself.   I can’t say a lot, but I can tell you I was one of the participants.    

Regretfully, the findings were that laundry does NOT wash itself, this was concluded after exhaustive analysis.  Because of the nature of the study, I had to sign a confidentiality agreement.  It wasn’t easy all these years, keeping silent and watching the laundry pile up, filling out my forms, hoping and hoping, but letting the data speak.   This was one of those times that you know you are a part of something larger than yourself, that your own sacrifice of pride is worth the possibility of something great.  
I’ll be honest, I’m disappointed.  I had really hoped that laundry did wash itself.  But as time went on the results became obvious.  I’m no scientist, but I began to put it together, even before the study was completed.
It’s published now and  you can read it for yourself.  If you don’t feel like trudging through all the technical jargon, I’ll just tell you, in addition to not washing itself, laundry, does not fold itself, nor will it put itself away, no matter how long it is left in a basket.  However, it was determined, in homes where the participants were married, that the spouse outside the study would some times pitch in and “help” the participant.
I know that there were thousands of people in this study, who gave their time and floor space for YEARS in the pursuit of knowledge.  It was certainly a relief to come out to my family and I would love to hear from any other participants, now that we can speak.

Filed Under: laundry, Monday mornings, winter

A reprieve

February 13, 2008 by Alison Hodgson 2 Comments

A pot of Marinara sauce is bubbling on the stove.

The children are playing together quietly and kindly.
The sun is shining.
The sun is shining.
The sun is shining.
It’s 15° F, I’m sick and Jack is barking like Cujo…but I choose to accentuate the positive.
The sun is shining.

Filed Under: peace, winter

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